PRINCE Charles made the most of the sunshine today as he sipped on a glass of Pimms during an official visit to Somerset.

The 65-year-old royal made the trip to the village of Muchelney just five months after the area was hit by the worst floods since 1953.

However, he arrived rather differently to his last visit back in February when he was forced to enter by boat.

Today though, he was easily able to travel by car through clear country lanes and enjoy an alcoholic beverage while standing on fresh green grass on an area previously under two feet of water.

The 65-year-old royal made a visit to the village of Muchelney [Adam GraySWNS.com]

Charles sipped on his drink while chatting with the locals [Adam GraySWNS.com]

Residents, many in heels and summer dresses, stood by the local church - used as a community centre to store medicines, post and supplies in the floods - to welcome Charles back to Muchelney.

The father-of-two told farmers in the region that he "had to do something" to turn the spotlight on the flood-hit Somerset Levels because "it's in my blood".

They have spent the past five months rebuilding their homes, businesses and communities following the devastation when Muchelney was cut off from the mainland by rising water for weeks.

Charles appeared to be in great spirits as he greeted residents in the sun [Adam GraySWNS.com]

Charles attended a reception of 100 guests at Britain's oldest wedding barn, Almonry Barn, situated close to where he boarded a tractor for a tour of the village five months ago.

Louise Wilson-Ward, 29, owner of the previously flooded venue, stood in blazing sunshine as she welcomed Charles back to the venue, built up to 900 years ago.

"It was very surreal, especially with us being cut off as well," she said of the floods.

"We didn't know when the end was in sight. Most days people just used to walk around aimlessly all day.

Charles was dressed in a grey checked suit and a striped tie [Adam GraySWNS.com]

"But the message today is to not keep harping on about the floods, otherwise our economy is really going to suffer.

"If you put the word 'Somerset' in Google, what comes up is pictures of the floods and people are avoiding the whole area but we are open for business again."

Charles was dressed in a grey checked suit and a striped tie and spent an hour chatting to local residents, farmers, agencies and charities who have worked to help the region recover from the floods, which have long since receded.

Charles was forced to arrive by boat when he visited Muchelney in February [Adam GraySWNS.com]